I'm brand new to JKs. My only previous Jeep experience was a pre-built used 98 Cherokee I had years back. Last week I ordered a '17 JKU Rubicon in Gobi. I've been eyeing these things for a couple of years and finally decided to fire on the last year of the JKs. I'm the most particular person in the midsouth area and have a look and purpose for my right in mind. I'm having trouble in selecting a lift. My simple plan includes 3"-ish lift, 35" x 17/18 tires on Rhino wheels and aftermarket steel bumpers. 85% DD with light trail use when time allows. The 3 inch range / 35's gives me the look I'm after. As far as lifts go. In that height range driveshaft issues come up. As a result, I got drawn to the Mopar kits. I'm all about OE quality even if you pay more. Mopar comes with driveshafts, but the issue is size. 2", once weighted down with bumpers and crap won't work, and 4" kit will be donkey ass high, which is stupid. Why in the heck did they discontinue the 3" kit. Along the same lines, there's the cam bolts issue. I don't want to drill my crap out. So then you have to get some AEV brackets or equivalent. Well, they droop down. Then there the AEV kit, which seems great, until I watched the install video and they're drilling shit out all over the place. Before all this mess I was sold on Teraflex, but then there was some issue on install I wasn't happy with, and that excludes addressing the front driveshaft issue. At this point, this ride isn't even fun, and it hasn't even been delivered yet. It's either driveshaft, cam bolts, pinion angle, caster, control arms, or some other crap. Sorry if my long ass post was a big gripe, because it makes me feel better. Any input appreciated.cwhack:
I appreciate the response. That was one thought I had, how the 2" Mopar, AEV brackets and possibly a spacer setup would work out. Is there anywhere I could check out pics of your ride?
My 2" mopar put me up 3.15 inches. after settling out. I have the 1" spacers up front to level it out. I did add the AEV brackets, to get rid of that you can just add aftermarket lower control arms. Not a huge deal just give rock krawler a call and im sure they can help you out. The suspension is a bit stiff for my liking and im actually going to pull my spacers out this weekend and see how it feels. if I could go at it again I would with the Rock crawler x factor and add a drive shaft and be done with it. Iv seen the 3" mopar kit that was designed with teraflex and assumed the 2" would be just as nice but I just see a quality gap between them. I see people in my club wheeling the budget boost and 35s..
Go with a 3.5" kit and 35's on a JKU. Get a nice DD tire, like the KO2 or Duratracs and a nice shock (such as the Rancho 9000's).
Prior to my RK long arm, I had their midarm x factor kit with 31/32 Rancho's and duratracs. Put about 30k miles on this setup and multiple offroad outings. Many of my trips were over 1000 miles round trip (one being 3000 miles) and this setup went, wheeled, and drove home without a hitch. I also DD'ed this setup 50 miles per day to and from work. The duratracs have been put through their paces and I have had no sidewall issues. Also, I have had ZERO driveshaft issues...so I wouldn't sink money into something you don't need (until it dents or breaks).
I hear ya! I'm super particular when it comes to having it just as I see it in my head. I'm fairly new to this as well (JKU's). I've had my 2016 for just over a year, been modding like crazy.
I would consider a 3.5" lift. I'm running the MetalCloak 3.5" Game Changer. Phenominal performance on and off road. This vehicle is my wife's daily driver. It was built as more of an expedition rig than straight rock crawler. We need to be able to run 80-85mph interstate at times...especially so we can do things like Moab and the mountain West.
Consider going higher as you only want to do this part once, and as you live with your new JKU, a lot of us find we want to go a little bigger down the road. I say that because my first Jeep was/is a 1999 XJ that after 3 tries (kept getting bigger) has a "frankenlift under it. My 3.5" MC GC netted me just over 4" on 35's. I'm running taco drive shafts, 16K so far and no issues. MeatalClaok is a complete kit, with upper and lower control arms as well as rear relocated track bar to get the roll center back where it should run. You can see that in my build thread. http://www.wranglerforum.com/f314/hard-rock-rubi-1553025-34.html
Good luck with which ever direction you head, and congrats on the new JKU!
You're buying a $37k rubi(if not more) with no prior experience of JK's and you already want to throw a 3" lift on it and 35's?
Why wouldn't you want to try it out on these "light trails" first and figure out what you need before you start dropping 6k+ on wheels and tires and a lift as a rubi is plenty capable in stock form.
Its one thing if you've built previous JK's and you have an idea of what you want to do with it. but you literally have no idea what its capable of in stock form.
But its your money, you do you. I'm just surprised you already want to mod it before its even in your damn driveway.
You make a really great point! I ran Fins & Things in Moab last summer with a completely stock Hard Rock following me everywhere. My H.R. is on 35's/3.5" lift. The only difference was he drug transfer case and rear tow hooks because he wasn't lifted. That Jeep Trail Rated badge on the side is legit!
so you can run the same kit as I have. Its the Teraflex 3" Sport S/T3 w/ fox shocks, This is the same as the old mopar kit except it also comes with Teraflex monster track bar! This is a great kit with OE quality in mind!
I have a '17 sport and I am starting all of my mods. 4" Mopar and Fox with 35's. Just ticked at the cost of everything for a jeep. Coming from Silverado's, it's shocking how much basic lifts cost. Can't wait to finish mine out. Good luck.
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